On Draining Running Sands. 
115 
Obs. — Those numbers and letters with a * attached refer to the ob- 
jects which are represented larger than life. All the figures are drawn 
from nature, excepting Nos. 3,4, 5, 6, *?, and 8, which are copied from 
Roesel, and 22, 23, and 27 from Westwood's Modern Classification. 
(The Copyright of this Paper is reserved to the Writer.) 
Hayes, near Uxbridge, May, 1846. 
VI. — On the best Method of Draining Running Sands. 
By William Linton. 
Prize Essay. 
The draining of strong tenacious clays, and that of running sands, 
that their respective objects may be secured, certainly call for 
the closest observation, the most diligent and careful inquiry, and 
the soundest science and skill in all who are engaged therein, 
in order that the former may be rendered effective, and the 
latter permanent. 
My intention is not to add to this Essay by any lengthened in- 
troduction, but to proceed at once to give an account of what I 
have myself witnessed — an account which will extend through 
an experience of twelve years. During that period I have been 
engaged in draining a great variety of soils, but especially the 
running sand ; the greatest part of which had been previously 
j drained, but on account of the shallowness of the drains, which 
' were not more than from 12 to 18 inches deep, their having been 
I covered with perishable materials, and not having bottoms, which 
' allowed the moles to do great mischief by their subterraneous 
I burrowing, had become entirely choked up, and consequently 
useless. 
The land in question has a very light grey, sandy surface. The 
subsoil is white sand, which varies in depth from 12 inches to 
6 feet, beneath which lies, of a considerable thickness, a bed of 
t marly clay. To attempt here to fix any stated depth at which 
drains should be laid is in my opinion absurd, as that is a 
question which can only be determined by ascertaining the depth 
at which the water lodges; which may be known by digging 
boles in different parts of the field previous to commencing the 
work, and as soon as the stratum which contains the water is cut 
through, it will at once be seen by both sand and water gushing 
into the opening, and undermining the earth around it. For the 
most part, when my drains are cut to the depth of about 18 inches, 
a small stratum of the quick running sand and water is found, 
and at about 18 or 20 inches deeper one containing a much 
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II 
